“We have to be fully recovered and focused on the game”

PREVIEW

In the preview of the Benfica-Estrela da Amadora match at 8:45 pm on Saturday, November 23, in the 4th round of the Portuguese Cup, Bruno Lage guaranteed that the team will have to be at its best to overcome yet another obstacle towards the goal of reaching the final and winning the 27th trophy in the club's history in the competition.

After the international break, I'd like to ask you how the players who have been playing for the national teams are doing, and also what your analysis is of Estrela da Amadora, who Benfica have already beaten this season?

Many of them are still recovering from games and trips. Motivated and focused. That's how I felt about them in training today [Friday], because tomorrow [Saturday] we have to give a good response and play a good game, as we have done in the past. We're going to meet a very competent opponent. I didn't see Benfica's previous game with Estrela da Amadora, but I've seen the team's recent performances, and they've really shown a lot of quality. So we have to be at our best. We're going to meet a very good team, with some familiar faces. They have two boys who started out here, Ferro and Rúben Lima, and it will be a great pleasure to see them again. But the most important thing is what we have to do during the 90 minutes, play a good game and win the match, because one of our goals is to go on and take the team to the final and win the Portuguese Cup.

In the midst of all this motivation, there's someone who isn't motivated at all, and that's Renato Sanches, who is injured. Is it really a two-week stoppage? How well can you manage the expectations of someone who came here to make it big again, but is still injured and limited in his ability to return to football at the highest level?

He made a good point, but I'll tell you something: I found him more motivated than we thought. I saw him today [Friday] morning with a huge desire to get back as soon as possible, and that's the most important thing, to feel that. In this life, as a professional athlete, when these moments happen, the first step has to be theirs, one of attitude and motivation to get back as soon as possible. As for us, the club, the fans and the coaching staff, it's all about supporting him to make another comeback, which I hope will be soon.

These cup matches always end up being knockout games. In terms of your game plan, what kind of star can you expect? More cautious, bearing in mind that the game could go into extra time, or more daring, knowing that it's only one game, and that you've done it on other pitches?

I expect a Estrela team very similar to the one he played against Sporting in the first half. It was 45 minutes of great quality, with a very interesting dynamic. A line of five with the full-backs very well set up; a very strong dynamic from the striker - Rodrigo Pinho, who also played here, with a very strong dynamic, with a very good attack from deep... I don't know if you remember, there's even a goal in the 2nd half that's disallowed because the ball touches his hand before he scores. Very good midfielders, even getting into areas between the lines; a lot of aggression from the wingers at speed and in one-on-one situations. I'm looking forward to that Estrela da Amadora, and I'm glad you asked that question so we can give you a more complete answer about the Estrela team. That's why we have to be fully recovered, at 100 percent, focused on the game, because that's the most important thing. 

We've already talked about Renato Sanches. How is the rest of the squad in terms of injuries? You've already talked about training minutes, national team appearances, but how do you manage this, bearing in mind that after this game comes a very important match, this time for the Champions League [against Monaco, at 8 pm on November 27 in France]?

As I said before, we're going to do the training session tomorrow [November 23], still in the morning, and see who is really at 100 percent, recovered, with no physical problems, to play - and to play you have to be at 100 percent. That has to be the starting point. Then management has to be a very individual matter for each player, because some players recover in one way and others in another. Some arrive happier, more content and more fulfilled than others. These have to be specific issues, understanding each player's moment, and that's why it's important - in this day and age, competing as we are, every four days - to understand this very well. The emotional management of the players, the physical management, not putting them in danger of injury, and we have to know how to live with that, having our dynamics, also our training load, and also understanding the training and playing load they bring from the national team.

Benfica recently denied reports of Nicolás Otamendi's possible departure this season. I'd like to ask you for your reaction: does this news make you happy and calm for the rest of the season?

I'm pleased to be able to count on the four central defenders I have at my disposal. We have Nico [Otamendi], we have Tomás [Araújo] and we have António [Silva]... And I even include António and Tomás in the answer to your question because since the beginning of the week we've had: Nico on his way out; António with offers from Juventus; and Tomás also with an opportunity to leave in January... As a precaution, I've already put Ricardo Rocha [former central defender, now assistant coach] in training, because if all three leave at the same time, we'll need a player for that position [smiles]. The most important thing is what I feel on a daily basis. First I look and realize that the players are focused on Benfica, and then I keep a close eye on their performance, because, as I said before, there are no places at risk, but nobody's place is guaranteed either.

I wonder if the same applies to Kaboré, who has also been rumored to be leaving in January?

Everyone. I feel everyone is focused on Benfica and training well. There are issues that can happen in January... so many things can happen in January. If you look at the question of the central defenders... At the moment, there have been a lot of problems in top teams with very serious injuries to central defenders. We have to be prepared to respond in all positions if something happens.